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AutoZone

Coordinates: 35°08′32″N 90°03′22″W / 35.14231°N 90.05614°W / 35.14231; -90.05614
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
AutoZone, Inc.
Company typePublic
IndustryRetail
FoundedJuly 4, 1979; 45 years ago (1979-07-04) (as Auto Shack)
Forrest City, Arkansas, U.S.
FounderPitt Hyde
HeadquartersMemphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Number of locations
7,140 (2023)
Area served
Key people
Phil Daniele
(Chairman, President, & CEO)
Jamere Jackson
(CFO)
ProductsAutomotive parts and accessories
RevenueIncrease US$17.48 billion (2023)
Increase US$3.474 billion (2023)
Increase US$2.528 billion (2023)
Total assetsIncrease US$15.99 billion (2023)
Total equityDecrease US$–4.35 billion (2023)
Number of employees
c. 119,000 (August 2023)
Websiteautozone.com
Footnotes / references
Financials as of August 26, 2023.[1]

AutoZone, Inc. is an American retailer of aftermarket automotive parts and accessories, the largest in the United States. Founded in 1979, AutoZone has 7,140 stores across the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the US Virgin Islands. The company is based in Memphis, Tennessee.[1][2]

Company History

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Auto Shack

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AutoZone was founded by J.R. "Pitt" Hyde III as the auto parts division of Malone & Hyde, a Memphis-based wholesale grocer founded by his family. After joining the board of directors at Wal-Mart in 1978, Hyde explored new ways to diversify his family's business.[3] On July 4, 1979, the first store opened in Forrest City, Arkansas under the name of Auto Shack.[4][5] Doc Crain was the store's first manager. Sales that first day totaled $300.00.[6][7] Despite not knowing much about cars, Hyde's vision was to offer good customer service, and everyday low prices, in a clean,well designed, and brightly lit shop.[8][3]

By 1980, the chain expanded to eight stores across five states, and then to 20 stores the year after.[3] In 1981, the company opened its first Express Parts Service warehouse in Memphis, allowing customers to order hard to find parts not found in most stores.[7] By 1983, Auto Shack opened its 100th location.[7]

By 1984, it had 190 locations across 13 states.[3] In 1984, Malone & Hyde was acquired in a management buyout that included Hyde, investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company, and other executives, taking the public company (including Auto Shack) private.[9] Total stores were 194 in 13 states.

In 1985, Peter Formanek was named president. He oversaw the auto parts firm's daily operations and worked on growth strategy.[2] In 1986, Auto Shack was spun off from Malone & Hyde, with Hyde and Formanek remaining in charge.[5][6] Malone & Hyde was later sold to Fleming Companies in 1988.[10]

By 1986, expansion had made the company grow into a large store chain across the South and the Midwest. Auto Shack debuted its Duralast auto parts line, starting with alternators and starters. The Loan-A-Tool program was also introduced, allowing customers to borrow specialty tools.[5] The fourth distribution center in Greenville, South Carolina opened. The total number of stores was 339 in 15 states.

AutoZone store in Murphy, North Carolina

AutoZone

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In 1986, Auto Shack was sued by Radio Shack for trademark infringement.[7] While a court initially ruled in favor of Auto Shack, Radio Shack ultimately won on appeal. In 1987 Auto Shack announced plans to change its name to AutoZone.[11][12][8] The first AutoZone store was in Enid, Oklahoma. The company introduced an electronic catalog used to look up parts, check warranties, and view inventory.[5] The total number of stores was 459 in 16 states.

1990s

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In 1991, Hyde and KKR took the company public.[13][14] Its stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange using the ticker symbol "AZO."[11]

In 1994, AutoZone began using satellites to facilitate communication between stores and the corporate office. Sales hit $1.5 billion.

In 1995, AutoZone opened its 1,000th store in Louisville, Kentucky. Also, the Duralast trademark made its debut with the Duralast and Duralast Gold batteries. Total of stores is now 1,143 in 26 states.[15]

In 1996, the company launched its website.[5] It also acquired ALLDATA, a software company based in Elk Grove, California that provides automotive diagnostic and repair information.[16]

Company founder Pitt Hyde retired as chairman and CEO in 1997.[11] John Adams became the new chairman and CEO. AutoZone made several acquisitions in 1998. In January, it acquired 112 Auto Palace stores in six states for $55 million.[17][18][19] It also bought 43 TruckPro L.P. locations in May and 560 Chief Auto Parts stores across in June.[20][21] In October, AutoZone bought 100 Express auto parts stores from Pep Boys.[22] The company opened its first international location when it opened a store in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico in December 1998.[23][24] AutoZone closed the 1990s by debuting at the Fortune 500 list in 1999.

2000s

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In 2000, AutoZone opened a data processing and support center, known as DataZone, in Chihuahua, Mexico. In the years to come, new departments, including Finance, Customer Service, IT, Merchandising, and Store Technical Support would be added.[25] Steve Odland became AutoZone's third CEO in 2001.[26] Also in 2001, AutoZone sold TruckPro to Paratus Capital Management.[27]

AutoZone store sign in Phoenix, Arizona

In 2002, AutoZone developed a network of "hub, feeder, and satellite" stores to have more product in the market area, while reducing inventory investment. Sales hit $5.33 billion.[28]

In 2003, the Duralast tool line was introduced.[29] This was a year of important negotiations for AutoZone, as the company partnered with other auto parts industry companies, such as CarMax and Midas. AutoZone de Mexico opens the first DC in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Total stores number 3,219 in 48 states and 49 in Mexico.[30] In 2004, founder J.R. "Pitt" Hyde III was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.[31]

In 2005, William C. Rhodes III was named president and CEO. Steve Odland left to become the chairman and CEO of Office Depot.[32]

In 2007, Bill Rhodes, then 42, was named chairman, president and chief executive officer of AutoZone, Inc. on June 6.[33]

In 2008, AutoZone opened their 4,000th store in Houston, Texas. Sales hit $6.2 billion.[34][35]

2010s

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Interior of an AutoZone store in North Port, Florida

On December 15, 2011, ALLDATA LLC, an operating unit of AutoZone, expanded its direct presence in Canada to better serve its growing customer base.[36][37]

On August 17, 2012, AutoZone expanded into their 49th state Alaska by opening their 5,000th store in Wasilla, Alaska.

In 2012 AutoZone opened its first store in Brazil.[38][39]

In December 2012, AutoZone purchased AutoAnything.com, an e-commerce leader in aftermarket automotive parts based in San Diego, California.[38][40]

By April 2017, AutoZone had been the largest retailer of automotive parts in North America for three consecutive years.[41] As of August 2017, AutoZone had 5,465 locations in the United States, 524 locations in Mexico, and 46 locations in Brazil, for a total of 6,035.[42]

On October 22, 2018, Pitt Hyde announced that he would be stepping down from AutoZone's board of directors.[43][12]

2020s

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Destroyed AutoZone store in Minneapolis, Minnesota

In late May 2020, two AutoZone stores were destroyed by arson during the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul.[44]

In 2023, after years functioning as a shared services center, DataZone was renamed to AutoZone Business and Technology Store Support Center.[25] In early Jan 2024 Phillip Daniele, was promoted to CEO.

Corporate affairs

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AutoZone is incorporated in the state of Nevada.[1]

Headquarters

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Since October 1995, AutoZone has been headquartered in its J.R. Hyde, III Store Support Center (SSC), a 270,000-square-foot (25,000 m2), eight-story building in Downtown Memphis, Tennessee.[45] As of 2013 there were over 1,200 employees there.[46]

The project manager of the building's construction was Rob Norcross, a principal at LRK Inc. The building has the capability to withstand a 9.0 magnitude earthquake because it has a special base isolation system that had a price tag of $950,000.[45]

Private labels

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AutoZone sells lead-acid car batteries (manufactured primarily by Johnson Controls) and other automotive parts using its Valucraft and Duralast private label brands.[47] AutoZone also sells tools under the Duralast brand.[48]

Retail stores

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AutoZone store in Hillsborough, North Carolina.

AutoZone's 7,140 retail outlets as of August 26, 2023[1] throughout the United States, Mexico and Brazil stock a variety of aftermarket parts as well as some OEM parts. All AutoZone stores are corporately owned; the company does not have franchise operations.[49]

Sponsorships

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In 2004, AutoZone celebrated its 25th anniversary and announced a corporate sponsorship agreement with auto racing association NASCAR.

In 2007, AutoZone sponsored Kevin Harvick and Timothy Peters in the NASCAR Busch Series.[citation needed]

AutoZone holds the naming rights to the downtown Memphis baseball stadium that is the home of the Memphis Redbirds of the Pacific Coast League. The company also sponsors the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.[50] The AutoZone Liberty Bowl, alongside the College Football Playoff Foundation donated $250,136.03 to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.[51] The AutoZone Liberty Bowl awarded 2018's Distinguished Citizen Award to Priscilla Presley.[52]

They are an official sponsor of Bellator MMA, the world's second largest Mixed Martial Arts promotion.

Lawsuits

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AutoZone paid $3.3 million to settle a lawsuit by the families of a family who was killed due to being rear-ended by an AutoZone-owned truck. The suit alleges that AutoZone was negligent in training the driver of the truck.[53]

AutoZone faced a lawsuit for gender discrimination in which the plaintiff alleged that men treated her differently when she was promoted and that she feared revealing a pregnancy to her superior. When the pregnancy was discovered, she alleges that her district manager pressured her to step down from her position. She was demoted in February 2006 and fired in November 2011. The jury on the case ruled in 2014 in favor of the plaintiff, awarding her $185 million in punitive damages as well as approximately $873,000 in back wages. AutoZone has announced its intention to appeal the verdict.[54] The Wall Street Journal's Jacob Gershman suggested that the verdict would be scaled back, noting that the jury verdict is not the end-all be-all.[55]

A Georgia woman was fired after a customer insulted her and used multiple racial epithets against her. She alleges that the district manager told her to "suck it up," and she is filing a lawsuit against AutoZone for violating her civil rights.[56]

AutoZone came under fire from allegations that a district manager had told an employee to remove a flag displayed on the company's premises for the sake of improved diversity. AutoZone denies that and claimed that it was the poor means by which the flag was put up, with duct tape and suction cups.[57]

In June 2019 AutoZone entered into an $11 million settlement against with the State of California to resolve allegations that the company had violated state laws governing hazardous waste, hazardous materials, and confidential consumer information. AutoZone is charged with illegally disposing of millions of hazardous waste items, including used motor oil and automotive fluids, at landfills not authorized to accept hazardous waste.[58]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "US SEC: Form 10-K AutoZone, Inc". United States Securities and Exchange Commission. October 24, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "AutoZone co-founder, former president Peter Formanek has died". Memphis Commercial Appeal. 9 March 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Persson, Emil (2025-05-08). "Under the Hood: AutoZone's Blueprint for Retail Excellence". quartr.com. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  4. ^ Eng, Dinah (August 12, 2013). "Putting AutoZone into Drive". Fortune. 168 (3): 17–18.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Our History & Timeline". AutoZone. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "The AutoZone Story". AutoZone. Archived from the original on August 11, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c d Talley, Caleb (2018-12-26). "Did You Know? AutoZone Founded in 1979". AMP. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  8. ^ a b Eng, Dinah (July 25, 2013). "How Pitt Hyde put AutoZone into overdrive". Fortune. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  9. ^ "Malone & Hyde Accepts Bid". The New York Times. 1984-06-12. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-06-11.
  10. ^ "COMPANY NEWS; Fleming to Buy Malone & Hyde". The New York Times. 1988-06-02. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  11. ^ a b c Eng, Dinah (August 12, 2013). "Putting AutoZone into Drive". Fortune. 168 (3): 17–18.
  12. ^ a b "AutoZone Founder And Board Director J.R. 'Pitt' Hyde III To Retire In December". aftermarketNews. 2018-10-22. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  13. ^ "COMPANY NEWS; KOHLBERG KRAVIS TO SELL PART OF AUTOZONE STAKE". The New York Times. 1993-08-19. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  14. ^ Zonana, Victor F. (1991-04-27). "Kohlberg Kravis Doing Deals Again : The Leveraged Buyout King of '80s Is Sifting Through Distressed Firms". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
  15. ^ "AutoZone, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Nov 27, 1996". secdatabase.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  16. ^ "AutoZone, Form 10-Q, Quarterly Report, Filing Date May 20, 1996". secdatabase.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  17. ^ "AutoZone, Form 10-Q, Quarterly Report, Filing Date Jun 23, 1998". secdatabase.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  18. ^ "AutoZone To Acquire Auto Palace". PRNewswire. January 14, 1998. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
  19. ^ "AutoZone continues growth with Auto Palace purchase". The Auto Channel. February 1998.
  20. ^ O'Dell, John (May 12, 1998). "AutoZone to Acquire Car Parts Rival Chief". Los Angeles Times.
  21. ^ O'Dell, John (July 1, 1998). "AutoZone Purchase of Chief Auto Is Complete". Los Angeles Times.
  22. ^ "COMPANY NEWS; PEP BOYS PLANS TO SELL 100 EXPRESS STORES TO AUTOZONE". The New York Times. 1998-10-06. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  23. ^ "AutoZone's 1st Quarter Sales Up 33%; EPS Up 10%". AutoZone. December 10, 1998. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  24. ^ "AutoZone, Form ARS, Filing Date Nov 2, 1998". secdatabase.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  25. ^ a b "AutoZone Business and Technology Store Support Center Chihuahua". btssc.autozone.com. January 16, 2023. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  26. ^ "AutoZone, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Jan 12, 2001" (PDF). secdatabase.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  27. ^ "AutoZone sells TruckPro division". bizjournals.com. 2001-12-20. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  28. ^ "AutoZone, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Oct 31, 2002" (PDF). secdatabase.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  29. ^ "AutoZone Introduces Duralast Tool Line". AutoZone. November 19, 2003. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
  30. ^ "AutoZone, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Oct 31, 2003" (PDF). secdatabase.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  31. ^ "Automotive Hall of Fame: A night for legends". autonews.com. 2004-10-11. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  32. ^ "AutoZone, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Mar 14, 2005" (PDF). secdatabase.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  33. ^ "AutoZone, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Jun 7, 2007". secdatabase.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  34. ^ "AutoZone, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Oct 22, 2007" (PDF). secdatabase.com. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  35. ^ "AutoZone, Inc. - About Us". www.autozoneinc.com.
  36. ^ "ALLDATA Expands Its Presence in Canada". ALLDATA Automotive Intelligence. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  37. ^ Zacks Equity Research (16 December 2011). "AutoZone Expands in Canada". Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  38. ^ a b "AutoZone, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Dec 4, 2012". EDGAR. SEC. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  39. ^ Wheeler, Kim (2018-10-22). "Pitt Hyde To Retire From AutoZone Board Of Directors". localmemphis.com. Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  40. ^ "AutoZone, Form 10-Q, Quarterly Report, Filing Date Dec 13, 2012" (PDF). EDGAR. SEC. Retrieved Jan 18, 2013.
  41. ^ Adams, Bruce (April 25, 2017). "AutoZone again claims No. 1 spot in Top 25 Auto Chain Report". SearchAutoParts.com. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  42. ^ "US SEC: Form 10-K AutoZone, Inc". United States Securities and Exchange Commission. October 25, 2017.
  43. ^ "Pitt Hyde to step down from AutoZone board". Commercial Appeal. October 22, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  44. ^ Penrod, Josh; Sinner, C.J. (2020-07-13). "Buildings damaged in Minneapolis, St. Paul after riots". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  45. ^ a b "AutoZone HQ holds title as most earthquake-resistant Memphis building." Memphis Business Journal. May 13, 2011. Retrieved on December 6, 2014.
  46. ^ "Store Support Center." AutoZone. Retrieved on June 4, 2013.
  47. ^ Kusic, Luca (2022-09-16). "Who Makes Autozone Duralast Batteries?". Vehicle Freak. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
  48. ^ "Duralast Tools". AutoZOne. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  49. ^ About Us: Our Company, Our Culture AutoZone Official Site
  50. ^ "College Football Bowl Scene Changes, But AutoZone Liberty Bowl Endures". memphisdailynews.com.
  51. ^ Van Tuyl, Chris (November 11, 2018). "St. Jude children's hospital, WINGS get generous donations". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  52. ^ Maxey, Ron (April 8, 2018). "Priscilla Presley named AutoZone Liberty Bowl's 2018 Distinguished Citizen". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  53. ^ Tepfer, Daniel (July 19, 2018). "AutoZone pays $3.3 million for Bridgeport family's deaths". CT Post. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  54. ^ London, Christina; Nguyen, Candice (November 17, 2014). "AutoZone Ordered to Pay $185M in Discrimination Suit". NBC San Diego. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  55. ^ Gershman, Jacob (November 19, 2014). "$186 Million AutoZone Verdict is Eye-Opening, but Unlikely to Stick". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  56. ^ Northam, Mitchell (January 24, 2018). "AutoZone worker: Customer unleashed racist tirade — and I got fired". AJC. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  57. ^ Lacapria, Kim (September 2, 2016). "AutoZone Flag Removal". Snopes. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  58. ^ Becerra, Xavier (June 18, 2019). "Attorney General Becerra Announces $11 Million Settlement against AutoZone for Illegal Disposal of Hazardous Waste Statewide". California Attorney General. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
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35°08′32″N 90°03′22″W / 35.14231°N 90.05614°W / 35.14231; -90.05614

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